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Taste of the West

San Angelo State Park offers longhorns, bison and rugged beauty.

By Emily Gibson

June 2024 Issue

San Angelo terrain

Overview

Imagine yourself driving down a long, two-lane road with a corral of bison and longhorns on one side, a large dam looming ahead and a scenic lake on the other. Around you are sprawling fields of prickly pear cactus, rocky terrain that looks like another world and the big, blue Texas sky.

You just might be picturing yourself in San Angelo State Park, sometimes called the Gateway to the West. Although to Ruth Jordan, the founder of Friends of San Angelo State Park, the park would be more aptly called Texas' “best-kept-secret park.”

Surrounded by vast prairies that stretch out to the horizon and grazing fields of bison, it's easy to be struck by a feeling of solitude inside the park — a sense, perhaps, of entering a different era altogether. “When you get out there into the middle of the park, it could be 2024 or 1863,” says park volunteer John Talley. “And the only thing that reminds you of modern times is if an airplane happens to fly overhead.”

San Angelo State Park is, as park ranger Donnia Robles puts it, “very, very large.” It boasts almost 8,000 acres of land, including four campgrounds, a lake, viewing areas for bison and longhorns, three day-use areas, and more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails.

The best part? You can immerse yourself in the rustic peacefulness of San Angelo State Park without having to make a long trek into the high desert. “You can get lost out there and think you're far, far away,” Jordan says. “Although it is actually very close to the city of San Angelo.”

By the Numbers

Size: 7,677 acres
Closest Town: San Angelo
Year Opened: 1995
Busy Season: Spring and Summer
Good to know: San Angelo State Park is split into two units: North and South. You can't drive between these two sections from within the park — you have to exit and enter each section via the entrances located on Ranch Road 2288. Check in at the South Unit entrance to get the gate code that gets you into the North Unit. There are trails connecting the North and South units, so you can traverse the units on foot, bike or horse.

Three Hikes

San Angelo trails map Roadrunner trail

Easy: Roadrunner Trail (3 mile loop)

Located near the Red Arroyo campground, this easy scenic trail passes by the South Unit headquarters, the bison and longhorn corrals, and the wildlife viewing area. The 3-mile loop trail offers ample opportunities to see the park&aposs wildlife, including white-tailed deer, rabbits and snakes. Make sure to look into the bison and longhorn enclosures (don't approach too closely, as they can be aggressive) and stop by the bird blind to see what birds are there.

Dinosaur trail ystem

Moderate: Dinosaur Trail System (2.2 miles)

This 2.2-mile trail system in the North Unit of the park leads to Permian tracks in Little Foot Draw, made 90 million years before dinosaurs even roamed the Earth! Much of the trail is surrounded by fields of prickly pear cactus. Trail variations can be added to extend your hike or make it a loop.

Roller Coaster Trail

Challenging: Roller Coaster Trail (1 mile)

This trail got its name — Roller Coaster — because of its many ups and downs. It climbs to a good viewpoint of the hills and prairies on the horizon, and is a good way to get a view of the vastness of the park. You can hike or bike the 1-mile Roller Coaster as an out-and-back, or continue onto other trails in the trail system to make it into a loop.


Plan your state park visit

O.C. Fisher Lake

Get out on the water

O.C. Fisher Lake is the centerpiece of San Angelo State Park. While the water levels sometimes aren't high enough to launch a motor boat or pontoon, many of the park's visitors enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing on the water. You can also fish in the stocked lake or Javelina Pond.

Bison in San Angelo State Park

Attend a bison and longhorn feeding

Have you ever seen a longhorn or bison up close? Every Saturday morning at either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. (depending on the season), state park visitors can join a park ranger for a feeding of the park's bison and longhorn herds. After the feeding, the rangers will stick around to answer questions and share more information about the animals.

Couple viewing wildlife in San Angelo State Park

Visit the wildlife viewing area

San Angelo is on many birds' migratory paths, and the park's bird blind is a great place to spot some rare and exciting birds. Park volunteer Jana Jenkins says she has seen cedar waxwing, pyrrhuloxia, painted bunting, blue grosbeak, spotted towhee and yellow-billed cuckoo in the park. She had a surprise one day at the bird blind. “One day there was even a baby porcupine in a tree when I went out there,” she says.

Hike!

“We have people come from all over just to hike on our trails,” says Ranger Robles. “We have miles and miles of trails.” San Angelo State Park has multiple trail systems that are open to hikers, mountain bikers and horses. Whether you're looking for a flat, easy trot to spot wildlife and enjoy the desert scenery or a challenging up-and-down excursion, San Angelo has a trail for you.


Overnight Stays

camper and biker talking

Campsites

There are 114 campsites in San Angelo State Park that allow tent or RV camping. Some of these sites include electricity and/or water, though some are primitive. There is water near the primitive sites, though it may not be available at the campsite itself.

Cabins

San Angelo State Park has six cabins that sleep up to six people each. Cabins include a mini-refrigerator, microwave and bunk beds. There is also a bunkhouse that sleeps up to six people. It includes six single beds, a stove, a full refrigerator, an indoor bathroom, and an outdoor, covered breezeway.

Group camp

There are two dedicated group campsites that allow 75 and 80 people. These include multiple small grills and picnic tables.

Equestrian campsites

There are 19 campsites at San Angelo State Park that allow tent or RV camping and have a pen for horses. Horses may be allowed at campsites in other areas of the park when the equestrian campground is full, though pens will not be provided at those sites.


Javelina Pond in San Angelo State Park

Park Staff Story

“My grandfather worked for the Parks and Wildlife Department — he ran the fish hatchery here for 32 years,” says Ranger Robles. “We have a pond here, Javelina Pond, and the Fisheries Department stocks that pond for fishing when we have enough water in it. I was able to go out with them back in October and help throw the fish out to stock the pond. That really hit me because I thought — wow, my grandpa used to do this.”


Selfie Spots

Highland Range Scenic Lookout

Highland Range Scenic Lookout

Wrap up a hike on the Burkett Trail system by heading over to the Highland Range Scenic Lookout for sunset. This elevated area provides beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding prairies, and gives you a nice view of the sun setting over the hills.

Bison in San Angelo State Park

With a bison or longhorn

The bison and longhorn herds are some of the most iconic features of San Angelo State Park. How often do you get to snap a photo with one of these two grand animals? Just make sure to keep the bison in the (far) background of your photo. Don't ignore the signs that read: Bison are aggressive - Keep a distance.


Pro Packing List

Aside from the necessities, these items can make your trip to San Angelo State Park even more enjoyable.

Vortex Viper binoculars

Vortex Viper

8 X 42 Binoculars

Lightweight and compact.
Fully coated HD lens provide bright images and natural colors. Vortex's lifetime warranty means that if they can't fix them they will replace them no matter what.
MSRP: $489.99
vortexoptics.com

Celestron Starsense telescope

Celestron Starsense

Explorer Telescope

The first telescope that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position in real time. Ideal for beginners thanks to the app's user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. It's like having your own personal tour guide of the night sky.
MSRP based on objective size: $239.95-$599.95
celestron.com

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